Apparatus for checking electromechanical devices



Nov. 9, 1943. c. MOHNEN ETAL APPARATUS FOR CHECKING ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICES Filed March 21, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l Be v 'arninFf WE er; yg

Basil QZBeZ-S,

Nov. 9, 1943. c. MOHNEN a-rm.

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1939 wlllllllllllllb w m a mm 7 m z w n L F "1 6 FM 1 M. K W B j n /s CharLes .Zfiyhne ILL .Ba-s L/ZBeLs 1e Bey'al wzF er,

3% %dzzzw% Nov. 9, 1943. c. MOHNEN 'ErAL 2,333,308

APPARATUS FOR CHECKING ELECTROMEGHANICAL DEVICES Filed March 21, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NOV. 9, 1943. c, MOHNEN ETAL 2,333Q808 APPARATUS FOR CHECKING ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICES Filed Marh 21, 19:59

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Charles lllohnen, Basil $.56,

Patented Nov. 9, 1943 xi Ch r s tus having special utilitylimdetermining the correctness. or 1 accuracy of the functioning ofthe timer contacts of:internal combustion engineiignition systems; .butcap'ablei uses. p 1 v. any .i .1

A general objectiof the-invention isito provide means for'visually indicating. and detecting in accuracies in the time of circuit closingxandjopening operation of thelcontactsofeinternalcombustion engine ignition systems byvmerely observing a visual image, or in somelcases byimerely: comparing several visual imagesjthereby reducing :of;' other 7 analogous g' APPARATUS-TOR- CHECKING ELECTROME oHANIoAL nEvIoEs 1 I Moh rren Butler, Basil Bel s, Belleville, andBenjamin E. Heyer, Tenafly, NHL, as- I signo'rs', by direct and mesne ,ass i nmentsitog r. Knickerbocker"Development Corporation, Belle I'villeQN J -a corporation of Delaware a, aspirates Marcher 1939, SerialNo. 263 ,3l r t H i meme; (Cl-171L311) This invention relates to arr-improved apparaa Q synchronism. and lack ofusynchronism, an important featurezof-the inventionr'esides inuthc provision of means which does not require the operator toresort to a scale or the like in reading the visual; indications lwhichwshowisynchronism or lack of/synchronsim, thereby eliminating the necessity of V mathematical calculations with the consequent possibility OfnEIIOif. 1

- A: further objectiof the'inventionlistoprovide a device which is simple-in construction, ru ged and of low-Lproduction-cost,and,which, at the and limitingthesinspection and testing procedure to its simplestvandzmost elementary form so that even in unskilled Lhandsthe correction procedure can .be quick1y and accurately performed. That is to say, a distinctiveobjectiontheninventionis to provide novel means, ba'sedonuthetpersistence of vision as a physiological phenomenon; and, operable on the principle of the "stroboscope .for visually indicating; the correctnesslor incorrectness of firing. instant in an: internal combustion engine.v In that connection,.the'invehtion, in one of its phases, utilizes two indicators on arotating member or disc. synchronizediuwith means for producing successive light flashes caused-by timer controlled energy from a, spark .:coil, and which indicators in themselves corlstitutelthe primary guide for'correction. .These indicators may be in the form of openings through which light may be emitted, or on'theother handsthey may be in the form of lines on the .suriacez-ofa rotating member; 'In'all cases, howeverythe indicators have a predetermined"relationship:Ini some];

cases this relationship maywbeprmanently fixed as, for example, whenthe indicators consist of lines or marks on the surface of a.sing1e"rotating member, or, alternatively, saidindicators may be adjustable, one relativeto' theiother when carsame time, is thoroughly reliable and highly'efficientin operations; Q155 1With athe foregoing andlother objects inview, which will become more fullyfiapparent= as the nature of the invention is; betterunderstocd, the

same consists finsapparatusembodying the; novel features of construction, r-combination and arrangementhof parts as will ;'be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in- -the,iaccompanying 1 drawings and defined in the, appended claims, i v In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of 1 reference 1 denote corresponding parts in related .v'iew's:

Figure I 1. is a idiagrammatic. persl ei tive viewpf one wpractical 7 form f, of Y the invention and-Of. a

timerqof' theltwosspark coil type, to be checked thereby. I I

Figure l ds aifragmentary View-similar'toFig. 1 illustrating a timer oi; the singlesparlrjcoil type.

t Figure 2. is a sideeleyationof the formoithe invention illustrated in;Figurely showinggone meansv for mounting aytimer to checked-in ferent 'j meansrsof mounting? a different 1 type of timer to .be checked:ing;.operative ,relationship ried by separate discs "having akcommomaxis;

Regardless, however, of the type of indicators employed, they are a'nimated bya source of light.

That is, they are givena lifei oranimation which enables their perception: by 1 persistence. of vision I to determine the correctnessvor incorrectness' of the intervals of the fiashesproducedby the light source i More specifically, the invention relates toQapparatus for use :in; checking timers of internal combustionengine "ignition, systems to ascertain whether the same are properly timedand synchronized, and "to serve-as -a guidein' adjusting and repairingthe same" to 'correcti for improper timing and lack of 'synchronism9 In testing for thereto; n J

Figure 4 is a Eigure": 5 is a: detail (front; "elevation of the form vthertimer being checke'cl fonsynchronism is syn,-

fchronized.-.:

Figure "z is a dagaasattiew; sesame of the ri'ndications :producedby the, apparatus when the timer be'ing .checkedynchronism; lacks Figure 8is a; detailw-viewp as co i- .vparedliwitha-Fig. 4 a difierent position of an element ofithe apparatusrused f0 h k n t min or-ajtimer. 1

form of the inventioniillustratedaimFig.1 1,,

Figure 9 is a plan view of the apparatus with top portions thereof removed.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating a spark gap resistance feature thereof V Figure l1 is a section at right angles to Fig; 10

operatively mounted relative to the-apparatus;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic --pe'rspective'= view illustrating an alternative form of the apparatus;

and I Figure 16. is asldiagrammatic; planrviewrilluse trating another alternative; form of 2 the apparatusl a, I

Referringtothe drawings] inydetail; Azdesigr nates generallylxthe base: of the. present testing apparatus and; B designates; generally; a; 1 casing supported by said base 2 for rotative: adjustment relativethereto; i v Thebase- A- .preferablyis formed 'from metal and/is of ring-like: form and may-:be' mounted upon any suitable--supprt, such-fasindicated at S, in any suitable mannenuw: a yr The casing B, which may..='appropriatelybe molded from a suitable plastic materialisofisubstantially cylindrical, op'en-top,:-.clos'ed bottom form and includes aside w'all l0. and @a bottom wall H, which latterismarginallyuseated :upon the top of the base A and has a=depending flange I2 closely fitting Within said'base. Said casing thereby is held against laterali movement relativeto the base A; but isi 'rotatablyadjustable relativethereto. r g Any suitable means may b'e-provided:to-.retain the casing B in assembly withrthe-basezlAland.to secure said casing in. any desired -po'sitioncofirotative adjustment relatives-to :saidibase In-the present instance'the' fiange l2.-i rovide zivith an exterior, annular V-shaped groove l3.'and:-the base'Afis provided with a pair-of slide pie s. M to b projected-into said groove, eacn'byaaarelated screw 1 threaded into-the base Thejslide pieces-have "V -shapedinner 'BndSAtO'ifit theigroove I3, and when said ends are -disp s d fsaid roove the casing B is heldrin 'assembly withsthe base -'By "looseningthe screws: l5 theficasing is free-to be -ro'tatably--:adjus'ted.relativeito the base, while by tightening said' screws the: slide pieces are caused to'clampinglyengage the flange H to secure the casing in any rotatably adjusted position relative. to'thebase. Extending axially throughatheLeasing s sa shaft Iii-which is journalednfor' rotatiom in a bearing l carried by the bottomswalll Ht ofisa'id casing and -which extendss:below saidi-"ca'sing through the baseA andati t'slower endvhasi connected thereto a'motor I 8 for -driving the same. Fixed in'any suitable manner to the shai t lfi for rotation 'therewith isa-disk I 9 :whiehsse'rves as a closure for the 'open' top 1 :of thea teasing. VB

and which has mountedin any suitable manner upon the top thereof, for rotative adjustment relative thereto; a com'p'anion; smaller: disk 0. As in the case or thes s-me h and may alsd'appropriately-the mo ded from suitable material. In that event, iir order'itosms fasten the disk I9 to the shaft-I6, said shaft may have fixed thereto a metal, disk-like element 2| and said disk l9 may be secured to said element 2| by rivets, screws or other suitable fasteners, Similarly, in order to provid for securing;

the -disk"2ll .in, different ro tatively adjusted positionsrelative to"the disk" l9, one or more clamping screws 23 may be extended through one or more arcuate slots 24 provided insaid disk 2!! disk 20 may be rotatably adjusted relative to the "disk I 9; while b'y tightening said clamping screw, jorscrewsi saiddisk 20 may be clamped to said. ,disk' lSi f r imitary, rotation therewith.

-' ,;"Breferably,= butlnot necessarily, the disk I9 disk l 9 at 't a t-downward and. inward "inclination relative thereto, is: a .smal1i.opening;.-26;- while 5 m0unte.d-.on::the casing.B;for circumferential adjustment relative thereto is a sight element. 21 foncooperationnwith: said opening; ZGvand also for cooperation .withiasuitable scale 28'; (Figs: 4 and-2.8);providedrolr'saidrcasingp i:

- 30 Ln. the; .presentlinstance: :the-zsight element 11 includesisaiitongue 29 overlyingmhemarginal por tion: Of.:.th6idi$k" '9 slot on: op ening;

ThecasinglB: includes in-sathe present instance, throughout exporti'onrsof lits circumferentialem tent,a:closedtopp:opmbottomz:fconductoreacp r commodating..-channel; '3 l. (-Figs; .10 and: 1-1) ,sgthb r 40 :inner: side: :of: which 'is%. definediby the; casing side wall |0,-;the:.top-::of' which. is defined by a..wal1'321 extending :outwardly. '.'from" r the ;top' of therqslde wall lllpandetheirouter :side-of-whichis defined :wardly from theto'p-wall.3lzainjspaced relation;-

shipztorthe icasinglsideiwallrtl 0. :u

In the; present instance ;the sight-element (Figs. 4,55,, Standulli "includes-a :plate-like. port,- tiom34; wliichl overlies the wallr32 and-whic'hxis confined :bene'athta iplate' 35 which is: fastenedxto said .iwall :32irandiwhich carries" the scale -18; Air its; inner :.em1;:- the; plate-like portion s34 car.- ries-z the rtonigueizizll rand; also .sprin'g fingersai'h whiclixengage the sinner .facexof. the casing; side :wall HF whilelaat its; outer. endziithesaid plate# likei: portions 34:- .,=-extended:l first ,rdownwardly against: :the outer; face; .of" the, ;wall, 3,3 thence laterallysoutwardlyr andupwardly; and inwardly .upon: :itself. ,tofipro'vide fa:handle-.,3l,, and thence upwardly,- and then inwardlmeover ithe pl'ate2z35 in: thesformaofran index or pointer 38 :for! cop.- eration with theirsca'le 28 onrsaid plateid means ofrithe ihandlei ,315 the: sight element z,2?! may" readily;- be" adj u's'ted 'circumferentiallmoi 36;;pre'ssing zagainstaztheginner --face:,. ofsrtheiwall l'flpsaid si'ghtt elementrwill beretainedsiir any adjusted position in which it may be placed;-r,,,.-, f I

circuit:- itherethrouehi- Appropriately; this lamp 'maysicomprisesaz ne tube and-appropriately 1-said tubemaybebent.into.-cireularg-shape;;or may r-be helically cqiledl so; as -to extend entirely or and may be threaded into the element 21. By loosening the clamping screw, or screws, '23, the I ;.and- .having therein :a-small 3 0 awith which theeopening; 26 alines lwhen'everg by? rotation iofithe'g disk l 9," its 1 J35 openingzpasses'beneath:saidrtongue.129.7: 1 v

casing Bi Thus, whenever said-lamp is flashed;

it completely-illuminates 'allWportions of the interior of said casing. v

Inthe present instance the-lamp 39; in "the form of a flat, spirally-wound" neon 'tubej is dise posed at the bottom of the casing 13 upon 'a light reflecting disk 40-" and is fixedly secured within} A said casing by I clamping means designated'fas 4 I From one" terminalof the lamp 39 a .cojnduc tor 42 leads -to"andis connected with abolt 43 (Figs. 9 and 1-1) which extends through the bottom Wall of the casing B 'and'serve's to'secure thereto a. spring finger 44 which contacts with the metallicbaseA when the 'casingB-is operatively mounted thereon. The base A"is suitably'grounded and, therefore, one terminal of the lamp' His-grounded. I i From the other terminal of "the lamp :39 aconductor '45 leads to and is connected with "a. conductor element 46, This jconductor element includes terminal 'portions lt spaced, as shown in Figs. 9a and 11, predetermined amounts from the adjacent ends of a pairof conductor strips ill, 47 which extend circumferentially off the casing Btorelated fastening screws 48; A pair through said opening 26; they a're alwaysivisible c: base ATincludes'asocket 59 to receive either thestemfifl of 'a bracket Bl for-supporting a distributor D of a certa'in type, as illustrated in Figures Band 11,"-orto receivearodtz for supporting a distributor D i of another type, as illustrated in iFig'. 2. In'? either case, the dis tributor 'is supported above the testing :apparatus in' axial alin'ement with the shaft 16 and a driving connectiori'between said shaft lfi and the cam shaft" 635'of the distributor is effected .bya coupIingCKFig. 11).; havinguniversal joint char! acteristics.':

- The.coupling".C" isdnthe form-of a tube of greater interna1--'diameter than the shaft 1 6 and contains a lining of rubber or -other soft,

pliable materialihaving an internal diameter corresponding" substantially to the diameter of the upper end portion of the shaft l6 Preferably said; coupling is closed""at'it's upper end; but this 'islnot es'sential. In any-:event, said coupling is provided with-a transverse slot 55 which opens through its upper end and-which is of a width and depthto'receive a transverse: lug which usually is provided on the-lower end of-the cam of metallic tubes 49, 49 'which ;servefas sockets to accommodate circuit continuing jacks; are embeddedinenlargementsof'the side wall ill of the casing B at pointsto-render-them con-' veniently accessible and are respectively connected with the fastening screws 48 through re sisters 50 disposed in the channel-3i. 3

Inthe disk 19, outwardlyof the disk 2D, narrow, radial slot 5| (Fig. 4') of any suitable length which extends" inwardly 4 to the periphery of said disk 20, while in the disk 20 isa cooperating radial slot 52;of preferably the same width and length as the slot 5| and whichopens at its outer end through the-periphery of said disk 20, t T I To'facilitate rotative adjustments ofthe disk 2-0 relative 'to the disk 19 said disks may be shaft 63 (Fig. "1) of acertain type of timer for v the purpose" of keying said timer camshaft to its driving shaft when the timer is mounted on an enginee Moreover; said coupling is provided near its lower end with *a ltransverse pin -6l provided with upstanding ribs 53'and lugs 54-,

respectively, while in order to indicate certain definite angularly spaced relationshipss of"the slots 5| 'and 5 2bbtained by' rotatably adjusting the disk 20 relative tot-he disk l9, one ofsaid disks isprovided withanindex '5 5-and the other is provided with indicesjfiffor al'inement with said index55. q y F g Suitably mounted below thedisk l9 and above the 'lamp39, as, for example,"'uporr"-the element 21 by'the screws" 22, isathin disk 51 (Figs. 10-

andl l) ofsuitablycolorem translucent material so that" whenever the lamp 39 isflashe'd the flash isvividly visible thf'ougfithe opening}? and through the slots Hand-521* -In this'con'nection, I

in" order that "lightwithin the casing s maybe visible throughthe opening 52 in thediskZJNin any operative rotated position of adjustment; of

said ldisk 20; relative to the disk IS the portion of ltlie disk l9 oiverlwhieh the, slot 52 travels when the .disk 2111s rotatively adju t d relative to t s clfl pi v qsd h a e pu i slotiflh though not essential, .therepreferably is formed through the disk l9, adjacent to and 'inwardly of theopeningIG-and-in the sameradial plane. as said opening "26, acompanioniopening 26 (Figsd, 8 and 11) which is disposed inwardly of .the:.tongue29. :'Thus, while lampflashes 'occurring when. the. opening 126. is covered by any partofithe tongue 29, woulda not be visible to Ienter a transverse slot 68 provided in the upper end' of the shaft IE to connect said coupling "to said shaft for rotationtherewith when the couplin'g is operatively applied toisaid shaft. The coupling C is applied to theshaftn It by engaging its lower end portion over the upper end portion .of said shaft and by-entering the pin" 61 in *the'slot 68.- This is done prior to mounting of the timer'D or D above the testing app'aratust Thereafter; the timer is mounted above "the testing apparatus and its cam shaft lug 66 isengaged in 'the coupling slot 65, the couplingbeingyof course. of a length to span the space between the adjacent ends of the shafts I6and=63. The soft liningiil yields in case of anyslightmisalinement of said shafts and there- 'by provides for smooth-and free-driving of the 6B usually is disposed of? center aslight amount sothat the timer camshaft can be coupled with its drive shaftin only'a single "predetermined position of rotation relative thereto. Theslot "65 isdisposed a;corresponding amount off center." Therefore, it is possible to couple the shaft I6 to. the timer'cam shaft 63 in one posi- 'tion only. Thus", with each timer tested, the timer camshaft 63 and cam l3 which operate the-contact points are made to assume thesame r'elativerotative position with respect to shaft 16 as they assume to their drive shaft when the timer is operativelysapplied to an-engine. IWhen the'shaft l6 isthus connected by a couplingqC with a timer cam shaft. a certain definite. angular relationship exists :between the cam .13" of the timer and the soales ;28j:=and 5H. lln athe present instance these "relationships are; such that. when the casing; Bis rotatablvadjustedI-eh ative tozthe baseJA'Lto aline the-casingindex 12 withthe' 0 indication of the scale 11;; when the pointer 38 .isalinedwith the U indication of the scale 28, and the sight opening: 25:15 'ali-ned with the sight opening 30 in the..jtongue:f2-9;=the timer: cam: is positioned corresponding to the position it occupies when the. relatedenginepise? ton is 1* in 1 top, dead- ;centerr IJOSitiOh.; Accord-.1 ingly, if, int-lieu of conductors leading; from 'the timer tothe spark plugs; of. an engine; as wou1d be the caseif the timer were operativeIy;.asso.-.-.

at aspeed sufiiciently'.low .so-ithat-thenauto matic' sparkadvancing; means of 'the;.timer ;is inoperative,: thesight opening; 2Gwwi1libe+a1ined w-ithtthe sight opening-30 iniithe ton'gue -2 9;;When a: .flash: of. the-.zlamp 1.39 .--oocurs;.;..otherwis he flash will occur; whentsaidi sight opening 2; is. to one 1 side or the ;--.other of i the tongue: opening 3 0; Due; to rotation of. the' disk .l 9i1and to i the physiological phenomenonugoh persistance" of; vision, successive; fiashesvwill have ithe .a-ppearancei of being continuous. Therefore; they, maygbevery easily observed. If they K .occurwhen the! sight opening is alined with'th'e; tongue opening-:30: and if 1 the; timer. 5 is -int.ended:;t o. close; .itsspa Plu circuits when i the :pistons r-vof Fthe engine upon which. the timer; is' tov "be-ru-sed'. are; in: top; {dead center positions; the..:indication- 1ofvthee apparatusris;that;;thevtimingz;of the: timer is P correct.

If,..on'-' the other; hand, ,the-:flashes==oocur'Zwhen the sight opening. '2 6: is of 1 the tongue opening,

the; apparatus indi:

cates that the timing-tofu. hegtimen;issincorrect and requires adj ustment; -,Adjustment ;is;made

y the meansmrovided out the? timer 3forthat I purpose while: the 1 apparatus continues? tooperate 1 the "timer; until: the flashes :occur: when the sight opening= 26 risralined. With'jthe; tongue. ;0p.en.-

ing:.3fl;- I-he-. timing-then is correct and 4 thexadjustmentimeans of the timer is'secureduin-its ad'' justed 'positiom I In testing: a-timer which is intended to, close its spark plugcircuitsattimes corresponding toicne, two,- three-0r more ;degrees;beforethesen ineipise tonswreach :top :de adv cent-en 1 positions;- astusually is the case, ,the teasing:B;is:rotativelyiadjhsted;rel;- a-tive to, therbase A and agcorrespond-ing number of degrees as indicatediby the, scalel I; {and the index 12. This resultsiini 30 a correspondinganumber of degrees so, that, when' thez timingpf: the timer is correct,- flashings of the: lamp. ,3 9 will occur when: the:= sight' pfi i 2 6 .is alined with the ton-gujecopening :3 0 flashes occun xiv-hen)v the: sight. ::opening;;.is;

sidsvor the? other: of) theutonguewopening 3311:; stiil assum'ingxthatthetimencam shaft is rotated-at a rspeedubeloim which-wits: automaticzsparkjadtancing iineans becomes 7 operative; theizindicatiomis one: side: or the; other t5 hi tin the tong s penins that 1the-.--timingfis'incorrect1 and-,-req1iires3;adjpst mentaand adjustment is-made untiltheiflash occur when .the sight opening ;i ;a1in ed 'withthe tongue opening 30.

Tim s; thatare onstr c ed-to: bei utom t a advanced withincrease-imspeed on the engines 11 Q mar -a e;- used-1 us a y. i cl e. a snring-annlied,= vacuu mreleas d rake op rati es 1y iconnected' with theengine intake manifold, and

centrifugallyqoperated means for advancing; the f cam- 13; relative tq-thetirnerrcam shaft .63; such atimer is toeiqe tested by the present appa+ ratus; itsishaft 65 should,,as heretofore indioated;

be-zrotated at a, Speed below which -the automatic advancin means becomes efiectiv e, and the-brake should be released; to. permit the timer shaft to rotatewireely, althoughthis latter-is not essential. After the timer has-been tested" and if required,

adjusted :for corrections of; timing, it istestedfor n qpen adjustment .of 811 5 a uum r s d ke Fonany given -timer-of the automatic spark ad I Vance type there should 'be adefinite amount of automat i c.;ad ance ata .given high speed of-the engine on; which. it-ais; used. Accordingly,- the speed of the shaft lfitis increased corresponding to the given high speed-of; the engine and the sight device .21 is shifted an' amount, as indicated byth JCQ0P(-2ratiQ f1"-.0f th pointer 38 with the soa1e28, corresponding-1 to 1 what shouldbe the automatic advance of. the timer at suchv given high speed Figure -8 illustrates an example of suohshiiting'of the-sight device Zl. If ,th en, the

flashes occur When the "sightopening'ziis alined with the tongueopeningfifl, the indication is that the adjustment of th wvacuum released brake is 9mm;.. fith -fiashesocc 'w es ht penf ing 25 is; to one side: or I the other of: the: tongue opening 30,- the-indioation that the adjustm ent ofthe brake is incorrect, The brake'then is adjustedunt il, theflashesoccur when "thesight opening 26 is alined with the tongue openingJll.

By way. of explanation, it a may h said that the proper firing interval I of; all modern automobile en nes s ;v k -.eu niacare l yi rate amt--de red:e mer d a s m s PO p c ouslr; fialibrafied r -neewrres he pointer 38 is set to the proper numper'of degr'ees: I

c t-spark.-advanceon soale 28; Thusif the timer s arki a c fm b nnc omns-r on- Electrical cbnnectionsj between the high tension 'side', of sides, of the coiL'or' coils, of a timerfbein'g v tested, and the lamp I39 may he 'efiected'in' any suit'ableniannenf' ,In this connection and asi1lus tratd "in" Figj l, conductors IQ are*provided' with 'jacks TS for insertionint'o the tub'es til, said conductors being connectable in any suitable manner with the high ten sion side; or '-sides,- '|-6 ofthe spark coii, tor -coils; of the: distributor; For 'ex ample; Fig; 3: illustratesone of theioonductors M.

asi beingaequippeda with a leap 15i: to -temporarily replaceaan ordinary capaof the ld-istributonD; said cap fl-carryingza brush 18with which the conduca tor: 7-4:;is connectedtand-which, in the appliedfpm sition of. the :cap; 7 1;; contacts *Withi 'the? distributor tween the slots ELand 53: ifgthe, timer L signed for use one; twelve; cylinder engine the wesasos ring 19 of 1 theidistributor; rl igurellaiillustrats' a F timer D'ofithet'two spark coil typeiiwhile F-igure 1 illustrates a timer D of thesinglesp'ark coil types Both timers are-tested in the same manner, the only 'difierencefbeing that 'onlyia single conductor '14 is employed in the case of a-ttimer of the single spark coil-type while tWOfGOIldlldtOlS .ldareemployed in the. case of atinier birth two spark coil type;

' Figure "12 of theuidrawingscillustrates: that the resistors 50 serve "to eliminate: allexcept-the-Ltips of thetfirst three or iourwaves of an electrical z impulse produced byopeningof the breakeripoints .of the diStributQn The"resultantulighti flash is very quick and sharp, .and, therefore; the images,

produced by the sig htropening 26 are not fringed if the :distributor is irr good working order: Consequently, should the images appear. frayed," or be accompanied by phantom images ,1.the*indication is that :the timer is notin-ogoodworking or-, 2

. derand that repairis required; "forexampleg that a'loose;.worn or:eccentriccam requires rep1acementu, t In making tuning and brake adj etinent tests no attention is paid to the flash-ings; as they are viewed through the slots 5t and 52. other words, the position .of' rotative adjustment of the diskjlfl relative to thedisk l9,is immaterial so far, as concerns tests for timingand brake'adjustment.,- Lon the other,;hand,'=no attention ispaidto ,the fiashingsrasthey are viewedpthrough :the

sight openingsZB, 2Wwhenjthe apparatusis used for testing altimer iorzsynchronismw In testingaqtimergior synchronism, the disk 2B is adjusted relative to the fdisk l9 :to obtain,-, the-proper angularrelationship between the slots 5 l and 52 corresponding to ithe; .particular type of engine on which thetimer is tofbe used; {In other words, if the timer'is designed foriuse on a common typ of eighticylinder,,engine the disk 20 is'adjusted relative to thedisk late, obtain 'a forty-five degree angular spaced relationshipzibedisk 20 is adjustedrelative torthe disk..;l' 9.ato ob-. tain the desired angular spaced relationship between the slots 5! and 52, and so onqfori'a timer 1 designed for use on anfengine having any other number of cylinders, dependingaon the-proper I firing interval between the respective, cylinders.

The indices 55: and 5,5, and anladditional index 55' on; one ofthe disks and agcooperatingscale 55 on the other disk afford guide means for use in quickly and accurately,obtainingdesired rel- ,ative angular adjustments oi= the disksgla andlfl. i I i S e internal: bus ion e ines n b y those of the well known'y-type, inefi'ect combine two s ratem lt ple cy inde en e ini 1 i of breaker pointsandan associa'tedspark coil related to the-spark: plugs of one of' the-engines,

and a second set of breaker-points and an associatedcoil distinct from the first mentioned coil, ;-,,relate d'to the $park-plugsof the other engine -,In aitimeriofxthistype:onezof the sets of breaker pointsuusually is angularly-adjustable relative r tOgIhB other, set for synchronizing purposes.-

Assumingthat the timer to be tested for synchronism' is designed for use on a common, type eight cylinderfen'gine; the,, disk 20 isadjusted relative to the'disk I19 to obtain an angular spaced relationship-between theslotsil'andiz ofifor'tyv five degrees, asillustr'ated in Fig.4 of the drawings fand the high tension; sides ofthetwo disi. tributor, coils areimconnected respectively; @With the'tubesA 9,. In, addition; the, timer is connected with ajsuitable source. of currentflsupply. The

';-motor [.8 then is started to simultaneously drive l-the disks, ,IBsand' 2n and the cam shaft of the timer. o This; of course, resultsin circuits being mclosedxzthroughwthe lamp 39 atinstants corresponding to actuation of sparkpplug circuits by the timer, any given flashingof: the lamp correa sponding-toiactuation'of a spark plug? circuit of :a cylinder of one bank of the engine cylinders and the next flashing of the lamp corresponding to actuation ofa spark'plugrcircuit'of acylinder of the other bank of the engine cylinders.

this connection it is pointed out that, due to the spacing of the terminal portions of the conductor element 46 fromthe adjacent-endsof-the conductor. strips, 41, 41 closingof the lamp circuit under the influence of eitherv set of breaker points and their relatedspark coil of the. timer, does not afiect the. otherlsparkccoilof the timer; In other :41, but is not sufiiciently strong-to overcome the iwordsjwhen discharge from either spark coil of I the timer-occurs, it is'sufiiciently strong, to jump u the igap between the'conductor element 46 and thez'adjacent'end'of the" related conductor strip resistance offered by the gap between theconduct'o'r element 46 and the other conductor strip 41. Th'us, interference of either spark coil of the dis tributortwith proper'operation of the other spark Whenever the lamp 39.:is flashed the fiash is fsee'rrthrough the slots 5| and 52, and at or above r-a given spee'd of. rotation of the disks I9 and 20 successive flashings; due to thephysiological phenomenon of persistence of vision, "will be seen 'at spaced points entirely around. said disks, despite the fact that-they actually are seen through the --slots 5| and l 52 "at"0nlytwo-: spaced points.

In other words, if the 'fiashings" occur sufiiciently rapidly the slot definediimages of flashes previouslyf occurring will be retained by the eye during succeeding 'fia'shes; Thus, if the timer "is syngle engine; In some suchenginesitis usualto h ein effect, w -se r m s h flh respectively-control the sparkplugs of, the separate engines and which are combined in a single ti mer n te by a s n le ami 7 91 ,e$-. h

. firing order alternates between; the cylinders of the respective-engines. Consequently, in order,

to obtain smooth, efiicient engineperiormance,

, it is quite essential that the times Jr firing; of the cylinders of the respectiveengines be equally ced r i other ds-th t, t ere shall be synchronization as between the firing irtstants of the cylinders of the respective engines. -Eigure 1 illustrates diagrammatically by full lines a timer :for controlling sparking of-the sparkplugs of an engine combining-,aiineflfect, twdxseparate engines, said timer comprisingsas usual; one :set

: chroni'zed'the images defined by the slots 51 will 'beradia1lyr:alined with the; images defined by theslots'tt, as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the draw- .1 ingsfsince thfiashings occur at forty-five degree intervals and the slots 5| and 52 are spaced fortyfiye degrees apart. On the other hand, if succes- "sive flashes occur at other than forty-five degree intervals, the images defined by the slot 5! ob- 'vio'uslylfwill be disalinedsfrom the images defined by? the slot52,astillustratedin Fig. '7 of the drawings, thereby indicating that the timer ::is1=h'ot synchronized. It: then is adjusted by the means provided-thereinfor that purpose to, ef-

-fect itsj synchronism, theadjustment being made whilethe apparatus continues to drivethe timer.- As the adjustment is correctly made the slot-de- Jo finedimages will appear ;to reep into alinement with eachl other, rwhichzg reatlytiacilitates the .adj ustment; and :whenthe imageszhecomeealine'd the adju'stment.istcom'eet. 2

" The timers: for two :more entirely separaw and distinct enginespas 'for' example, -th tim'ers of twin ormul-tiple' engines rused in boats or aircraft, may-obviously be checked for synchronism by means of the presentqapparatus :in the *same general manner 4 as the timer or a single engine 1 embodyinggin e'fiect, two-separateengines;

It obviously is not-'"necessary that there bei'two disks, such as the disks '19 and zm ang'ularly ad- "justable 1 relative tozach' other orsynchronism checking pu1'pose's. -(Dnthecontraryj two aslbts "corresponding to theslots t l and 52 mayi beproe;

'vided in a single disk-as illustrated- "in Figi 14' of --the drawings, w-herein -the single disk 'is \desig- "hated as l9' =an'd the" two slots therein corresponding to the 's1Ots Si -and Stare designated as -5l' and SZQ' respe ctiveIy. Different single disks;

I 9 having-the slots 51", Mftherein spaced different distances apart, may be used interchangeably in 'lieup-o'f 'relatively adjusting the disks l9 and- 20. Relativeli adjustabledisks 'such' as the disks I 9 'and' are, j however, preferredmto having 1 aydisks, as the Case mayLbei ionztheicontrary,:the

slots may "be-disposed equa1tdistances-from'ithe center or centers 4 of 1 the :diskror itdi'sks which they are provided. This :is illustrated in- Eig. i 13 ol the drawings, L=Wherein "the :two' angularly spaced .slots, -designatedwas 51 ',v.'5'2 :1are sprovide'd H40 in a single Ldisk' designated ias:f|'9 "-:at equal distances 'from ithe -center of saididisk. Ifvaidi'sk: 'of this kind is llused the :images of? l'th isrespective slots willlb'e superimposed ti'fthe timerztbeingate'steaeee sos disksel 99, flfl sand provisiong'ismades'in'iany'zsmt- :zablezimamner tfiirli connectingfthe diigh; tension isides 31-69 rofiithe 'twowspark' ooilsn'ofcattimertn to said rings, respectively, as indicatdza't 2H",

,. 10 14; rtonenfzthellamps fliis1 connectedetthrough r rbrushi'figiowithznnezofathe rings?" or flattens desiredi point: andsthe ther of- 'said :lamps 88 .istconne'cted' through: fissai'da irin'gs'. lzfilternativelyytthexmngs 0 and ea-ls'mayrbea'cxtatable with theriiisks s mani :the .ianip's $39 emayi beirconnedted on any iesuitable respeetivelyeand the-:high rltension sid'esisot the -idistribetbncoilsmiay;berrconnected withzsaid rings by "meshes, respectively. ,5 lnl'iei-therzeasef rotation I zof ithe'icam sof rv'the't :timer 'wvith'u'the'. disks H1952 0,

mesirlts iniiflashin'givofitfirst one and thentiithe V 1 other of the lamps 39 responsiveto actuation "of I -the' two-breaker arms of the tinier, irespectiv'ely;

hccordinglm images ot the slbtr51 are:pr'od1rced at ang'ula'rly :ispacd njpoints corresponding] 1 to -breaking fiof Jone set eb'f breaker =points of j the tiinen and images of 'the' slot 52-are produced at langularly :spa'cd poi'nts corresponding w I @30 breaking ot -the other setbfbr'eakefipbints 'of the timer. 'obvi'ouislyf the angular relationship or i the images oftheiislots 1'51 52 I relative to each other is anindication-of- 'synchronism,- or lack of synchronising ofthe distribntor.

V Obviously, inf 'li'e'u of the -couplin'g means 'C; any other suitable means' may loeeniployed "for 'coupling the ishait"'IG tQ thecam shaftor "a V ridisti ibli-tor' to be tested. i

*W-ithout further description 'it is thought that avill be readily apparent to' those skilled' in' the -art; and,- it w ill,' of course,-' be understood" that changes-fin theifo rm; proportion and fniinor- 'details oflconstruction -rhay be resorted to'y withe edis 'synchronized;: otherwisepthe imagestofi ithe aiib oiit depafting fiom the-spirit of the invention respective slots -wi1l':-be'smore: oril'ess spaced= apart in side toside relationship; 1 t 1 Neither is it. necessary "thataithere .besislots in the rotatable :"disk; or; disks-'withiatlamp tbeneath "and-iscopeof the appended :claims.

we claimg'r J I 1. Apparatus-of the 'character described comor behind the disk. or: disks; COITihB'TCOIItI'EWH --top remess jacr;ommodating'the'othcr and the two the disk or; 'disksjmay'fhave onitits, or (their, top or front face; or faces; as the 'case may he,- simply 1 a :pair'; of? angularlyspa'ced "indices .idisposed either :e'qu'al ;-oriunequal distances from the :cen-

ter' or centers zofltth'e "'disk ror disks,.'.asid'esireiaand the "lamp may. bezfdisposed aboverorrin' front .of the disk. *:The"same.:efie"ct :is :obtained. in ;-this way as by slotsl'inl :aJdi'Sk' on" disks with .a lamp disposed ibeneath aorzbehindithe rdisk rorzdisks. :In

"designated as 19 ,p'rovi'ded on' its top torxfront face with ax-pair .of :indicesf5l i52 spaced -both -angularlyzrand ardifie-rent: distances: from the :cen-

ter :of the 2 disk, and .a Glamp, .rdesignated as 3%)",

' disks -li avin',g: -their top surfacesfdisposed in a c'omm'on pland illunfinatlng means "to be" connec'ted iwi th m'eans {for "periodically flashing the "same,':' means for {unitarily rotating said disks in "synchronism with the means for periodically "fflashing said lluminatih'g means, said di'sks each ha'ving an indicator rendered effective to produce at'n? ima'g'eof itself upon a background con-I Y I stitute'dby'the top 'surfaces'(Sf-said disks by'ie'ac'h this 00111186131011".Elg'g15211111517131385'18." smgle-sdisk fl ggi f id illu nating m ns, id-e di k beingrotat'aloly adjustable'relativeto eachother 'ftovary'the angular relationship between the in- 'corresporidingrtovthe lamp- 39 andtlocatedtabovawu b l n; yr a dju t a1 'b' iti fi'6f a or in front of the'disk- 19 .T'Figure 16 -'illustrates;';another alternative form of the inventionicharacterized :by2avdisk or :disks having "angularly lispa ced slots andwa ilamp; indi- 'vidual fiOLea'Chfisl'Ot.EIId"Ii0I&tBb1eWith the diskwr "disks, as the case' maylbe; .:Specificallmtwoirelatively'rotatable disks tfi 20 areillustrated having therein slots 512 52 respe'ctiv'ely. 'Carried by thediskiBEat the under orr'ear-side thereof, "is a lamp 39- which is 'alind with the slot fi-l disks relative td-each" other, whereby there is indicated b'y'the angular-relationship to eachother of the images ;-of the*respective indicators the s'amenk ss; or lack 'of sameness, of Fthe intervals "between} siiccessivei flashings of the "illuminating means- 1 2.- Apparatus as set forth in claim' *1 in-which 'the' ."illum'inating. means is "disposed "behind the disks randr'in rwhich cthe'rlindi'cator's flare in: the

.tably nonmit'aztably'rinounted scoaa ziallyawith'ithe the ifeatu'res and advantages of the invention on the" respective disks, and meansfor" 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the illuminating means is disposed in front of the disks and in which the indicators are in the form of indices on the front surfaces of said disks.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of disks one superimposed upon and carried by the other, the top surfaces of said disks being disposed in substantially a common horizontal plane, illuminating means to be connected with means for periodically flashing the same, means for unitarily rotating said disks in synchronism with the means for periodically flashing said illuminating means, said disks each having an indicator rendered efiective to produce an image of itself upon a background constituted by the top surfaces of said disks by each flashing of said illuminating means, said disks being rotatably adjustable relative to each other to vary the angular relationship between the indicators on the respective disks, and means for fastening said disks together for unitary rotation in any rotatably adjusted position of said disks relative to each other, whereby there is indicated by the angular relationship to each other of the images of the respective indicators the sameness, or lack of sameness, of the intervals between successive flashings of the illuminating means.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a first disk, a second disk of smaller diameter than said first disk superimposed upon and carried by said first disk, the top surfaces of said disks being disposed in substantially a common plane, illuminating means to be connected with means for periodically flashing the same, means for unitarily rotating said disks in synchronism with the means for periodically flashing said illuminating means, said disks each having an indicator rendered effective to produce an image of itself upon a background constituted by the top surfaces of said disks by each flashing of said illuminating means, said indicators being spaced different distances from the centers of said disks, said disks being rotatably adjustable relative to each other to vary the angular relationship between the indicators on the respective disks, and means for fastening said disks together for unitary rotation in any rotatably adjusted position of said disks relative to each other, whereby there is indicated by the angular relationship to each other of the images of the respective indicators the sameness, or lack of sameness, of the intervals between successive flashings of the illuminating means.

CHARLES MOI-INEN.

BASIL A. BELS.

BENJAMIN F. W. HEYER. 

